Military Mom Talk Radio hosted by Sandra Beck and Robin Boyd welcome The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Director Gwynn Sullivan and Veteran Correspondent Stephen Boyd, November 4, 2013.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is the largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. The organization is committed to improving end of life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people dying in America and their loved ones.

Considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care at the end of life, hospice care involves a team-oriented approach of expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s wishes. Emotional and spiritual support also is extended to the family and loved ones. Generally, this care is provided in the patient’s home or in a home-like setting operated by a hospice program. Medicare, private health insurance, and Medicaid in most states cover hospice care for patients who meet certain criteria.

Gwynn Sullivan is the Director of Access for NHPCO where she is responsible for developing outreach programs and resources that are disseminated to hospice providers across the country. Specifically, she spearheads the Centers for Children’s Care and Veterans’ Care under NHPCO’s Mary J. Labyak Institute for Innovation. Gwynn also manages NHPCO’s contract with the Department of VA’s Hospice and Palliative Care Program.

Gwynn has completed the Appreciative Inquiry Certificate Program, and Appreciative Leadership Development Trainer Certification from the Corporation for Positive Change. In addition, Gwynn formerly held an adjunct appointment at the Duke University School of Nursing; was a faculty member for the Being with Dying: Professional Training Program in Contemplative End-of-Life Care at the Upaya Institute; served as a consultant for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Rallying Points initiative; and as a program director for The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization was founded in 1978 as the National Hospice Organization. The organization changed its name in February 2000 to include palliative care. Many hospice care programs added palliative care to their names to reflect the range of care and services they provide, as hospice care and palliative care share the same core values and philosophies. Defined by the World Health Organization in 1990, palliative care seeks to address not only physical pain, but also emotional, social, and spiritual pain to achieve the best possible quality of life for patients and their families. Palliative care extends the principles of hospice care to a broader population that could benefit from receiving this type of care earlier in their illness or disease process. To better serve individuals who have advanced illness or are terminally ill and their families, many hospice programs encourage access to care earlier in the illness or disease process. Health care professionals who specialize in hospice and palliative care work closely with staff and volunteers to address all the symptoms of illness, with the aim of promoting comfort and dignity.

Stephen Boyd served on active duty in the US Army from 1967 to 1970. He served in Korea in 1968 and Viet Nam from 1969 to 1970. He has numerous awards and decorations for his military service.

Steve received his Associates degree in Biology , recently returned to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in 2007 and currently is finalizing his PMP certification. You’re never too old for education, he says.

His new experience dealing with the VA came about because of a layoff in 2010. Being without medical coverage, Steve’s wife prompted him into investigating the benefits the VA could offer. What a pleasant surprise he had in discovering a wealth of support at the Manchester, NH VA facility.

Veteran’s Day is next week, and Stephen joins us to discuss points, events, and opportunities across the country honoring our veterans.